98 jeep cherokee classic

Check for the computer codes. It can point to the cylinder that is miss firing. Could be a bad injector. Do a cylinder balance.

there is no external fuel filter on your jeep, in 1997 they changed the design and put a filter sock over the fuel pump intake in the fuel tank. they only get changed when you end up replacing the fuel pump

Well if it is miss-firing, it could be an ignition or fuel problem, or something mechanical.
Is the check engine light on ?

You didn't post your engine size so please choose the apprpriate diagram:





1989-98 2.5L Engine firing order: 1-3-4-2 Distributor rotation: Clockwise






2.8L Engine firing order: 1-2-3-4-5-6 Distributor rotation: Clockwise





4.0L Engine firing order: 1-5-3-6-2-4 Distributor rotation: Clockwise





5.2L and 5.9L Engine firing order: 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2 Distributor rotation: Clockwise

You cant clean oxygen sensors, they need to be replaced, Also, remove your IAC and clean it out.

1998 Jeep Cherokee 4WD 4.0L MFI 6cyl

To avoid confusion, tag and remove the spark plug wires one at a time, for replacement.
If a distributor is not keyed for installation with only one orientation, it could have been removed previously and rewired. The resultant wiring would hold the correct firing order, but could change the relative placement of the plug towers in relation to the engine. For this reason it is imperative that you label all wires before disconnecting any of them. Also, before removal, compare the current wiring with the accompanying illustrations. If the current wiring does not match, make notes to reflect how your engine is wired.



Fig. 1: The firing order can usually be found cast onto the intake manifold



Fig.: 1989-98 2.5L engine Engine firing order: 1-3-4-2 Distributor rotation: Clockwise



Fig.: 2.8L engine Engine firing order: 1-2-3-4-5-6 Distributor rotation: Clockwise



Fig.: 4.0L engine Engine firing order: 1-5-3-6-2-4 Distributor rotation: Clockwise



Fig.: 5.2L and 5.9L engines Engine firing order: 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2 Distributor rotation: Clockwise

Also, here can review the Jeep XJ Service Manual.

I hope help you with this, Good luck (remember rated this help).

the crankshaft position sensor controls spark and if faulty would give the symptons you have described you need to get this checked first

If this just started, maybe after a hard run, you may want to check your sparkplugs. I've melted the insulator on one of my plugs after a prolonged, spirited run causing same symptoms.

The 1987-90 Jeep Cherokee with the Renix Eletronic Engine controls take somewhere between 4-7 revolutions before the computer has enough information to get the engine started.

If it takes longe rthan that, it may be time for a full tune-up:
Distibutor Cap and rotor
Spark plugs
Spark Plug wires
Fuel filter
Air filter
and possibly an oxygen sensor

Try replacing the Oxygen Sensors... I had the same problem and replaced my Oxygen Sensors and I haven't had any problems since.